(From Millstream Speedway)

Millstream Speedway is excited to announce the dates for its highly anticipated return in 2024.

Millstream Speedway has a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1952. Over the years, it has hosted some of the biggest names in racing and has become a fan-favorite destination for its fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping races.

Under new ownership for the first time in over 20 years, MS Properties and Matt & Beth Cogley have been working hard to get Millstream Speedway ready to welcome dirt racing back to the Findlay/Hancock County area.

“It’s been a real labor of love, and we have been so blessed with the many volunteers who have come out to help us get the facility back in shape!” said Beth Cogley.

After an eight-year hiatus, the speedway will host three special events that are sure to thrill fans and racers alike.

The racing will begin with Ohio Sprint Speedweek Night 8, brought to you by Ohio Logistics on Friday, June 14, 2024. That night will feature the FAST on Dirt winged 410 sprint cars and the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets. Gates will open at 4 and racing will start at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale at MyRacePass.com.

Next the Great Lakes Sprint Series will invade on Sunday, August 25, 2024 with the Great Lakes Super Sprints (360 cu in winged sprint cars), the Great Lakes Traditional Sprints (the original wingless sprint cars), and the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints (1,000 cc sprint cars).

Garner Trucking proudly sponsors the closing night of the Cogley’s inaugural season on Sunday, October 6, 2024 with the Great Lakes Super Sprints, Stocks vs. Trucks, and Late Models.

Millstream Speedway is located at 7805 Township Road 95, a little northwest of Findlay. 

You can follow the progress on their Facebook page or email millstreamspeedway@gmail.com for more information.

The Hancock County Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held at the Fallen Officers Memorial at the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 on Romick Parkway in Findlay.

The ten officers from Hancock County law enforcement agencies who have died in the line of duty were remembered and honored with their names spoken aloud and a flower placed at the memorial for them.

The speaker at the Hancock County Law Enforcement Memorial Service was Mrs. Vaune Akers, the wife of Findlay Officer Doug Akers who died by suicide in 2018, and she’s dedicated to reducing the mental health stigma among first responders.

“It’s okay to talk about it, the conversation has to happen. It shouldn’t be hidden. It shouldn’t be tucked away. Their struggles are real and we have to acknowledge them and tell them it’s okay, you are going to struggle, you are going to need help eventually and it’s okay to ask for it.”

In addition to her professional and familial responsibilities, Mrs. Akers is deeply involved in volunteer work with FIRST H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization committed to reducing the mental health stigma among first responders and providing support to the families of those lost to suicide. 

Get more from our conversation with Vaune in the video of the memorial service below.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will feature “Laura” (1944) for May’s classic movie at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17.

Nominated for 5 Oscars, and winner of Best Black and White Cinematography for 1945, “Laura” is one of the most celebrated 1940s film noir films. Manhattan detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) in her apartment.

On the trail of her murderer, McPherson quizzes Laura’s arrogant best friend, Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) and her fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price). As the detective grows obsessed with the case, he finds himself falling in love with the dead woman.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required. Historical information is provided before the movie and guests are welcome to stay for discussion afterward.

The rest of the 2024 Classic Movie Line Up includes:

July 19 – Yankee Doodle Dandy (PG) 1942

Starring James Cagney and Jeanne Cagney

August 17 (Outdoor Movie) – Jurassic Park (PG-13) 1993

Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum

October 25 – Strangers on a Train (PG) 1951

Starring Robert Walker and Farley Granger, Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

December 20 – White Christmas (G) 1954

Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen

For more information, please call the museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

(From Putnam County Habitat for Humanity)

Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) will begin accepting applications for the 15th partner family with the organization’s New Homeownership program. The next enrollment period is May 15 to June 28, 2024, for a new home that will be built in Ottawa. The home will be completed in 2025.

To be considered as an applicant for this new home, interested individuals must complete the current New Homeownership application and return it to the PCHFH office with the following documents:

• Last two consecutive years of most recent federal tax returns files (first two pages only, signed by applicant(s))
• Eight weeks of pay stubs for each applicant
• Documentation of other household income (e.g. social security, disability, food stamps and child support)

Applications are available to download at www.putnamohhabitat.org. You may also request a printed application by calling 419-523-9621 or visiting the PCHFH office at 150 N. Oak Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

Following an initial review, all applicants will receive a letter confirming eligibility for further consideration or a letter stating why the application is denied for this build cycle. The review process can take up to 30 days. All applicants selected to continue in the application process will be asked to complete a Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan application.

Since its inception in 2009, PCHFH has built 13 new homes and rebuilt an entire house. Homeowners purchase their homes through low- or zero-interest mortgages provided by PCHFH or through USDA direct loans. Critical home repair projects completed by Putnam County Habitat for Humanity include bathroom remodels, roof repairs and replacements, electrical repairs, window replacements, wheelchair ramp additions and replacements.

(ONN) – Wildfires in Canada are likely to bring unhealthy air conditions back to the Buckeye State this summer.

Last year’s wildfires in Canada created unhealthy air quality conditions throughout Ohio in the months of June and July with hazy conditions that forced school sports teams to move practices indoors.

Experts suggest that a warmer and drier than usual summer forecast for this summer will create patterns similar to last year.

With Canadian wildfires in the news again, drifting smoke has yet to be a problem in Ohio with most statewide locations reporting good air quality.

The exceptions, so far, are areas around Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati which are listed as moderate.

(From Marathon Petroleum Corp.)

Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today announced its leadership transition plan, with all positions effective August 1, 2024. At that time, MPC President Maryann T. Mannen will succeed Michael J. Hennigan as Chief Executive Officer and will join the Board of Directors; Hennigan will transition from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board; and, continuing as the Board’s strong independent voice, MPC Chairman John Surma has been elected to serve as Lead Director.

Hennigan has led MPC as CEO since March 2020 and joined the Board of Directors in April 2020. Mannen has served as President since January of this year, after previously serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2021. Surma became independent Chairman of the Board in April 2020, having served as a member of the Board since 2011. 

“Mike’s leadership of MPC has been marked by a time of tremendous success,” said Surma. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Mike, Maryann and the entire team for their relentless pursuit of shareholder value. Our team’s commitment to MPC’s core values of safety and environmental stewardship, integrity, respect, inclusion and collaboration has been foundational to realizing great achievements.” 

During Hennigan’s leadership as CEO, MPC’s accomplishments include:

• Delivering on transformative strategic priorities to structurally lower cost, improve commercial performance and increase competitiveness of the company’s portfolio;
• Strategic sale of the retail business, resulting in robust capital return program;
• Return of approximately $37 billion to MPC shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, for total shareholder return, with dividends reinvested, of 918% since March 2020; and
• Significant growth of the midstream business operated by subsidiary MPLX LP, including expansion in the Marcellus, Utica and Permian basins.

“We are pleased to have Mike serve as Executive Chairman of the Board as we focus on a successful and seamless transition,” continued Surma. “The Board unanimously supports and looks forward to Maryann’s leadership as our next CEO. It’s an exciting time in the energy sector, and she will take the helm of a company with exceptional employees and an outstanding set of assets.”

Regarding Mannen’s election, Hennigan noted, “Our confidence in Maryann as the right leader for our company is based on her contributions to the MPC success story, as well as her proven track record as an energy-sector veteran of 38 years. She has demonstrated a keen understanding of our business, clear judgment and a strong financial expertise that will serve shareholders well.”

Mannen shared, “I am honored by the trust placed in me to lead this great company. My priorities align with those that have made us the peer-leading energy investment we are today – an unwavering focus on safety, the environment and operational performance as we pursue commercial results that translate into greater shareholder value. I’m excited about our future.”  

About Maryann Mannen
Mannen was elected MPC President effective January 2024, having previously served as Executive Vice President and CFO since January 2021. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since February 2021. Before joining MPC, Mannen served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TechnipFMC (a successor to FMC Technologies, Inc.), a leading global engineering services and energy technology company, since 2017. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FMC Technologies, Inc. since 2014, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2011, and in various positions of increasing responsibility with FMC Technologies, Inc. since 1986. Mannen also serves on the board of directors of Owens Corning, an insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites company.

About Mike Hennigan
Hennigan was elected MPC CEO effective March 2020. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors since April 2020. Hennigan has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since April 2020, as its CEO since November 2019 and as its President since June 2017. Before joining the general partner of MPLX LP, Hennigan was President, Crude, NGL and Refined Products of the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners L.P. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. from 2012 to 2017, President and Chief Operating Officer beginning in 2010, and Vice President, Business Development, beginning in 2009. Hennigan also serves on the board of directors of Nutrien, a Canadian agricultural services company.

About John Surma
Surma was elected Chairman of the MPC Board of Directors effective April 2020, after joining the Board in 2011. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since October 2012. Surma retired as the Chief Executive Officer of United States Steel Corporation in September 2013 and as Executive Chairman in December 2013. Prior to joining U. S. Steel, Surma served in several executive positions with Marathon. Surma also serves on the board of directors of Trane Technologies plc, a global climate innovator that designs, manufactures, sells and services solutions for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, transport refrigeration and custom refrigeration solutions, as well as the Board of Directors of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), a diversified energy company.

About Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is a leading, integrated, downstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the nation’s largest refining system. MPC’s marketing system includes branded locations across the United States, including Marathon brand retail outlets. MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure. More information is available at www.marathonpetroleum.com.

The City of Findlay Street Department will be testing the city’s outdoor warning sirens on Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 9 a.m.

Monthly, Findlay and Hancock County test their outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of the month.  

During that test, a few of the city’s sirens didn’t go off. Repairs were made to those sirens and all city sirens will be tested on Wednesday.

Anyone with questions can contact the Street Department at (419) 424-7181 or publicworks@findlayohio.gov

One of the biggest military shows in the country will once again be happening in Findlay.

The Findlay Show – 37th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration runs Thursday, May 16 through Sunday morning May 19 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.

John Cheney II is Commander of the Findlay Military Association.

The event will include food vendors, helicopter rides, a military vehicle swap meet, reenactors, and much more.

Click here for the full schedule.

(From the City of Findlay)

You’re invited to Playball with the Mayor!

Join us on Thursday, June 13 from 6-8 PM at Miracle Park (behind the Cube) for a night of fun.

This family-friendly event is open to all ages.

The Findlay Fire Department and Police Departments will be present with vehicles to check out, the Keep Active, Keep Healthy bus will have activities available, and more.

Movement Church will be providing free popcorn and hot dogs for the event.

We hope you will join us for a night of community fun!

If you have any questions, or would like to get involved, please contact the Mayor’s Office at mayor@findlayohio.gov or (419) 424-7137.

(From Marc Kogan, Scout Executive for the Black Swamp Area Council)

The Boy Scouts of America announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115^th birthday.

This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.

According to Marc Kogan Scout Executive for the Black Swamp Area Council,  “We are excited to continue to welcome all youth into Scouting.  Scouting makes youth prepared for life teaching today’s youth to become leaders of tomorrow!”

Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.

Scouting in the Black Swamp Area Council began in 1915 when the Scouting program was introduced to the young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio. The council serves the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert and Williams.  The Black Swamp Area Council has two unique and outstanding outdoor leadership centers, Camp Lakota in Defiance and County Camp Berry in Hancock County.

Scouting provides the adventure of camping, hiking, and outdoor fun while using these outdoor educational programs to teach personal responsibility, citizenship, character development, achievement of specific goals and service to others. The Scout Oath and Law provide the foundation of the Scouting movement.

More than 5,000 individuals are participating in the local programs of Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Explorers and/or adult volunteers.

More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.